Experts call to increase number of trained emergency medicine physicians

• “3% of all fractures in Emergency Department are the cases we receive of pelvic Fractures,” says Prof Amin Chinoy.
• Survivor’s rate is 1.89 additional injuries, non-survivors: 2.95 additional injuries. Only 2 in 14 deaths (14%) are directly attributable to pelvic injury.” he said.

KARACHI:  “We need to change the concept of emergency medicine (EM) in Pakistan .We also needs to increase the number of trained EM Physicians. There should be two year certification, one year diploma or MCPS in EM. Local curriculum for the needs of Pakistan should be created. We need unified triaging system. Government should introduce trained physician to manage the emergencies especially in rural areas and streamline all the training activities to address the needs of Pakistan.” says Dr Abdus Salam Khan, MD FACP, President Pakistan Society of Emergency Medicine.

He was addressing the audience on the third Annual Symposium on “Emergency Medicine themed Shaping the Future of Emergency Medicine in Pakistan” organized by Dr Ziauddin Hospital and Ziauddin University at varsity's auditorium here on Saturday.

Speaking at the conference about the Pulmonary Embolism (PE), Dr Munawar Khursheed, Associate Professor & Director Emergency Department NICVD affirmed “Under massive Pulmonary Embolism 50% people have chances to die within 30 mins, 70% within 1 hour and more than 85% within six hours of the onset of symptoms. The PE is frequently undiscovered until autopsy. The interval from the onset of symptoms to death is relatively short. Early evaluation and prompt treatment is very important especially in massive pulmonary embolism.”

While talking about Unstable Pelvic Trauma, Prof Amin Chinoy, Head of Orthopedic Department, Indus Hospital, said “Wearing seat belts can reduce the risk of fatalities to front seat occupants by 45% since. Probability of severe head injury and ejection from the vehicle is lower. Chances of fatal / major injuries to head, neck, chest and abdomen are lesser. Except whiplash injury other injuries are of less severity.”

“3% of all fractures in Emergency Department are the cases we receive of pelvic Fractures. We also get to face 15% patients from motorcycle crashes, 10-30% from falls, 15 % from car vs. pedestrian and crush injuries are 5%. Associated injuries including chest injury (63%), long bone fracture (50%), head and abdominal injury (40%), spine fractures (25%) and urogenital injuries in 12-20%.  Survivor’s rate is 1.89 additional injuries, non-survivors: 2.95 additional injuries. Only 2 in 14 deaths (14%) are directly attributable to pelvic injury.” he added.

Dr. Nadeem Ullah khan, Associate Professor, Department of EM, Aga Khan University on the topic of Principles of Palliative Care in Emergency Department while discussing the approaches to care for dying patients said that when you realize that someone is dying, communicate sensitively with them and their family. Involve them in decisions. Support them and their family creates an individual plan of care that includes nutrition hydration and adequate pain relief.

Other speakers while addressing the audience notified that emergency physicians have to know situations of their emergency departments and handle their patients accordingly, especially in a country like Pakistan. We have to be very active in this field to save our people’s lives. We have to be careful; we have to take decisions wisely it’s not about our job it is about patient safety.

Earlier, in the welcome address Prof Mahmud Jilani, Chairperson EM Dr Ziauddin Hospital and Prof. Abbas Zafar, Dean Faculty Health Sciences, Dr Ziauddin Hospital said  that objective of conferences  like these are very good source of awareness on the importance of Emergency Medicines and its future shaping  in Pakistan. Ziauddin University is aiming towards achieving excellence in the field of medical and emergency medicine.